What is the purpose and importance of an ONA Covenant?
Members of your ONA committee attended a webinar on this topic sponsored by the UCC. To start to understand the value of a formal ONA Covenant, the presenter began by sharing with us that although the General Synod ONA resolution (1985) urged congregations to adopt “Open and Affirming Covenants”, somehow that word was sidelined, and in the past 30 years ONA churches have adopted ONA statements, Declarations, Policies or amendments to by-laws. But a congregation’s ONA commitment is best understood as a “covenant”—a value deeply rooted in the Bible and in the theology of our Reformed ancestors.
Consider the following verse, “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” Rom. 15:7 NIV. “Acceptance” for Paul is more than a “welcome.” The Greek verb he uses means “to take” others into our lives—not a transitory welcome but enduring relationship. “For Christ, having received, not one or two of us, but all together, has thus connected us, so that we ought to cherish one another.” (John Calvin on Romans 15:7). So Covenants are about CONNECTION. The values our ancestors in faith associated with Covenants included:
An Open and Affirming covenant is Bible-based. Churches become ONA not in spite of, but because of the Bible. An ONA journey focuses on Biblical values members of your church already hold in common.
Therefore, the journey towards an ONA covenant can: deepen your relationships with God and each other.
In other words, while an ONA covenant is for your LGBTQ neighbors, it’s also for us.
ONA is a path that can revive our church and create new possibilities for mission, ministry, advocacy and growth. We already know how to accept and love others.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
A journey towards an LGBTQ-affirming covenant is based on your church’s existing commitment to the nurture and care of others:
So an ONA covenant is not a radical departure from our church’s values. In fact, those values are the starting point for the journey.
We already know what it feels like to be a stranger.
Covenant = Blessing
That is why ONA is a revival movement! Since 1985, the Coalition has certified more than 1,700 ONA churches. This is a journey the congregation is taking “in the presence of God”, with every step beginning and ending with prayer.
In service,
Mary Brown, Natalie Coe, Karen Festa, Celia Schneider, Lynn Stack
FHUCC Open and Affirming Committee
If you would like to bring anything to the committee, please contact Mary or Celia.
Mary Brown [email protected] 802-345-4502
Celia Schneider [email protected] 802-273-2406
Please note that much of the provided content, and all of the bulleted points have been taken from a presentation by Andy Lang, Executive Director, UCC Open and Affirming Coalition. You may reach the coalition directly by emailing ed@openand affirming.org and we encourage you to visit their website: https://openandaffirming.org
Members of your ONA committee attended a webinar on this topic sponsored by the UCC. To start to understand the value of a formal ONA Covenant, the presenter began by sharing with us that although the General Synod ONA resolution (1985) urged congregations to adopt “Open and Affirming Covenants”, somehow that word was sidelined, and in the past 30 years ONA churches have adopted ONA statements, Declarations, Policies or amendments to by-laws. But a congregation’s ONA commitment is best understood as a “covenant”—a value deeply rooted in the Bible and in the theology of our Reformed ancestors.
Consider the following verse, “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” Rom. 15:7 NIV. “Acceptance” for Paul is more than a “welcome.” The Greek verb he uses means “to take” others into our lives—not a transitory welcome but enduring relationship. “For Christ, having received, not one or two of us, but all together, has thus connected us, so that we ought to cherish one another.” (John Calvin on Romans 15:7). So Covenants are about CONNECTION. The values our ancestors in faith associated with Covenants included:
- belonging to Christ
- connection
- mutual love
- experience of God’s presence
- holy listening
An Open and Affirming covenant is Bible-based. Churches become ONA not in spite of, but because of the Bible. An ONA journey focuses on Biblical values members of your church already hold in common.
Therefore, the journey towards an ONA covenant can: deepen your relationships with God and each other.
- open doors to new ways of living in faithful response to God’s plan for your church.
- revive our congregation’s passion for mission and ministry.
- enrich our congregation with the gifts of LGBTQ members.
In other words, while an ONA covenant is for your LGBTQ neighbors, it’s also for us.
ONA is a path that can revive our church and create new possibilities for mission, ministry, advocacy and growth. We already know how to accept and love others.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
A journey towards an LGBTQ-affirming covenant is based on your church’s existing commitment to the nurture and care of others:
- When you gather around a sick member who needs care and comfort.
- When you welcome and support families and children.
- When you recognize the joys and sorrows of members in public prayer, and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other life transitions.
So an ONA covenant is not a radical departure from our church’s values. In fact, those values are the starting point for the journey.
We already know what it feels like to be a stranger.
Covenant = Blessing
That is why ONA is a revival movement! Since 1985, the Coalition has certified more than 1,700 ONA churches. This is a journey the congregation is taking “in the presence of God”, with every step beginning and ending with prayer.
In service,
Mary Brown, Natalie Coe, Karen Festa, Celia Schneider, Lynn Stack
FHUCC Open and Affirming Committee
If you would like to bring anything to the committee, please contact Mary or Celia.
Mary Brown [email protected] 802-345-4502
Celia Schneider [email protected] 802-273-2406
Please note that much of the provided content, and all of the bulleted points have been taken from a presentation by Andy Lang, Executive Director, UCC Open and Affirming Coalition. You may reach the coalition directly by emailing ed@openand affirming.org and we encourage you to visit their website: https://openandaffirming.org